Orange Shirt Day - Sept 29 & 30
Each year, September 30 is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
In the video below, students from Holy Trinity Catholic High School answer the question, "What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?"
Wear Orange on September 29
Orange Shirt Day is a time to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and honour the survivors and the children who never got to go home. It is observed on September 30 each year because this is the time that many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities. This date is a federal holiday, and ECSD schools will observe Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday, September 29. If you have questions about what your child's school is doing to commemorate this day, please get in touch with the school's Principal or their Truth & Reconciliation Lead Teacher.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
It is through actions like the sharing of the story of Phyllis Jack Webstad, a 6-year-old girl who was stripped of her new orange shirt when she entered a residential school, that people across our nation will come to know the truth. Only then can we begin the process of reconciliation.
New K-6 Classroom Ready Resource
Click here to open the PowerPoint
Resource Links
- Orange Shirt Society
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation -Reconciliation starts with Education
- Downie Wenjack Fund
- Pope Francis apology to Indigenous peoples for abuses in church-run residential schools
- CBC Kids - What is a residential school?
- Empowering the Spirit - Orange Shirt Day and Beyond
- UNCOVERED: Truths About Indian Residential School
- Project of Heart
- Reconciling History
- urbaniskew colouring pages
- Residential Schools - Inuit Experience English
- Residential Schools - Inuit Experience French
- Residential Schools - Métis Experience English
- Residential Schools - Métis Experience French
- Residential Schools - First Nations Experience English
- Residential Schools - First Nations Experience French
- ATA Moving beyond performative gestures of reconciliation
- Canada’s History, Every Child Matters: Reconciliation Through Education
- Witness Blanket
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
Events
3rd Annual tahto awasis asitakimaw Every Child Matters Traditional Feast & Round Dance
Date: September 19
Traditional Feast 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Round Dance 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Alberta Aviation Museum (The Hanger) 11410 Kingsway NW
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/14oUyNkUotW/
s-yéwyáw / AWAKEN Film Screening
Date: September 24
A documentary following Indigenous multimedia changemakers as they draw on the wisdom of their Elders while exploring culture, resilience, healing and homecoming.
Location: Stanley A. Milner Library
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/4xzu7SC
Truth & Reconciliation Event
Date: September 27
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Normandy Room, Fort Sask Community Hall 9964 93Ave
Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefortsaskatchewanmulticulturalassociation
6th Annual Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk
Date: September 27
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Kinsmen Park 9100 Walterdale Hill NW
Link: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/138344/orange-shirt-runwalk-2026-edmonton
2026 Truth & Reconciliation Event
Date: September 29
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Kihciy Maskikiy / Aakaakmotaani Reconciliation Garden (east side of the Alberta Legislature)
Hosted by Indigenous Relations, Government of Alberta
Link: https://www.alberta.ca/day-for-truth-and-reconciliation
Returning to Ourselves, A Collective Healing event for Truth & Reconciliation
Date: September 29
Time: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: O-day'min Park
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/returning-to-ourselves-a-collective-healing-tickets-1994693984403
Truth First: Transforming Curriculum through Indian Residential School Truth, Keynote: Dr. Verna St. Denis
Date: September 30
Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: The Heart of Robbins (Bldg 9) 10910 104 Ave)
Link: https://buff.ly/9nUcSWs
Honoring the Walk of Healing Through Stories
Date: September 30
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society 11648 58St
Link: https://bentarrow.ca/event/national-day-for-truth-reconciliation-event/
WaaPaKe Film Screening by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin.
Date: September 30
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: The Royal Alberta Museum
Link: https://royalalbertamuseum.ca/events/film-screening-waapake
Truth & Reconciliation Pop-Up Screening & Author Event
Date: September 30
Time: 3:45 PM
Event includes film, literature and conversation featuring local Indigenous filmmakers and authors
Location: Audrey's Books 10702 Jasper Ave
Link: https://www.edmontonarts.ca/event/truth-reconciliation-pop-up-screening-author-event
Rubaboo Indigenous Arts Festival Opening Night
Date: September 30
Time: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: Beaver Hills House Park 10440 Jasper Avenue
Link: https://dreamspeakers.org/raff
Wîwîp’son: The Healing Swing
Date: September 30
Time: 7:30 PM
This film explores a healing practice that emerged from Dr. Darlene Auger’s vision during a ceremony for children in Residential Schools. Learn more about Wîwîp’son healing swing therapy and consider the importance of researching Indigenous healing practices.
Location: Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre 8712 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB
Link: https://metrocinema.org/event/wiwipson-the-healing-swing/
Sit With Us In Love, Truth & Reconciliation
Date: October 6
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: 12340 Fort Road, Edmonton
RSVP by emailing: christina.strawberry@niginan.ca